The Power of Darkness

stack-stand, to the left a thrashing ground, to the right a barn. The barn doors are open. Straw is strewn about in the doorway. The hut with yard and outbuildings is seen in the background, whence proceed sounds of singing and of a tambourine. Two Girls are walking past the barn towards the hut.

First Girl	There, you see we’ve managed to pass without so much as getting our boots dirty! But to come by the street is terribly muddy! Stop and wipe their boots on the straw. First Girl looks at the straw and sees something. What’s that?
Second Girl	Looks where the straw lies and sees someone. It’s Mítritch, their labourer. Just look how drunk he is!
First Girl	Why, I thought he didn’t drink.
Second Girl	It seems he didn’t, until it was going around.
First Girl	Just see! He must have come to fetch some straw. Look! he’s got a rope in his hand, and he’s fallen asleep.
Second Girl	Listening. They’re still singing the praises.9 So I s’pose the bride and bridegroom have not yet been blessed! They say Akoulína didn’t even lament!10
First Girl	Mammie says she is marrying against her will. Her stepfather threatened her, or else she’d not have done it for the world! Why, you know what they’ve been saying about her?
Marína	Catching up the Girls. How d’you do, lassies?
Girls	How d’you do?
Marína	Going to the wedding, my dears?
First Girl	It’s nearly over! We’ve come just to have a look.
Marína	Would you call my old man for me? Simon, from Zoúevo; but surely you know him?
First Girl	To be sure we do; he’s a relative of the bridegroom’s, I think?
Marína	Of course; he’s my old man’s nephew, the bridegroom is.
Second Girl	Why don’t you go yourself? Fancy not going to a wedding!
Marína	I have no mind for it, and no time either. It’s time for us to be going home. We didn’t mean to come to the wedding. We were taking oats to town. We only stopped to feed the horse, and they made my old man go in.
First Girl	Where did you put up then? At Fyódoritch’s?
Marína	Yes. Well then, I’ll stay here and you go and call him, my dear⁠—my old man. Call him, my pet, and say “Your missis, Marína, says you must go now!” His mates are harnessing.
First Girl	Well, all right⁠—if you won’t go in yourself.
	The Girls go away towards the house along a footpath. Sounds of songs and tambourine.
Marína	Alone, stands thinking. I might go in, but I don’t like to, because I have not met him since that day he threw me over. It’s more than a year now. But I’d have liked to have a peep and see how he lives with his Anísya. People say they don’t get on. She’s a coarse woman, and with a character of her own. I should think he’s remembered me more than once. He’s been caught by the idea of a comfortable life and has changed me for it. But, God help him, I don’t cherish ill-will! Then it hurt! Oh dear, it was pain! But now it’s worn away and been forgotten. But I’d like to have seen him. Looks towards hut and sees Nikíta. Look there! Why, he is coming here! Have the girls told him? How’s it he has left his guests? I’ll go away! Nikíta approaches, hanging his head down, swinging his arms, and muttering. And how sullen he looks!
Nikíta	Sees and recognises Marína. Marína, dearest friend, little Marína, what do you want?
Marína	I have come for my old man.
Nikíta	Why didn’t you come to the wedding? You might have had a look round, and a laugh at my expense!
Marína	What have I to laugh at? I’ve come for my husband.
Nikíta	Ah, Marína dear! Tries to embrace her.
Marína	Steps angrily aside. You’d better drop that sort of thing, Nikíta! What has been, is past! I’ve come for my husband. Is he in your house?
Nikíta	So I must not remember the past? You won’t let me?
Marína	It’s no use recalling the past! What used to be is over now!
Nikíta	And can never come back, you mean?
Marína	And will never come back! But why have you gone away? You, the master⁠—and to go away from the feast!
Nikíta	Sits down on the straw. Why have I gone away? Eh, if you knew, if you had any idea⁠ ⁠… I’m dull, Marína, so dull that I wish my eyes would not see! I rose from the table and left them, to get away from the people. If I could only avoid seeing anyone!
Marína	Coming nearer to him. How’s that?
Nikíta	This is how it is: when I eat, it’s there! When I drink, it’s there! When I sleep, it’s there! I’m so sick of it⁠—so sick! But it’s chiefly because I’m all alone that I’m so sick, little Marína. I have no one to share my trouble.
Marína	You can’t live your life without trouble, Nikíta. However, I’ve wept over mine and wept it away.
Nikíta	The former, the old trouble! Ah, dear friend, you’ve wept yours away, and I’ve got mine up to there! Puts his hand to his throat.
Marína	But why?
Nikíta	Why, I’m sick of my whole life! I am sick of myself! Ah, Marína, why did you not know how to keep me? You’ve ruined me, and yourself too! Is this life?
Marína	Stands by the barn crying, but restrains herself. I do not complain of my life, Nikíta! God grant everyone a life like mine. I do not complain. I confessed to my old man at the time, and he forgave me. And he does not reproach me. I’m not discontented with my life. The old man is quiet, and is fond of me, and I keep his children clothed and washed! He is really kind to me. Why should I complain? It seems